PSA: Mind the thickness and the reuse of your mailers/flats.
Azurescens
Posts: 2,793 ✭✭✭✭✭
Just got a coin with $21.75 postage due.
I thought this was a scam I didn't know about so I renewed my box, knowing it would display my full name and shipping address underneath the postage due and tracking. Took a pic of that info and the unopened package with the postage due sticker.
Seller proceeds to tell me I had late fees on my box for not remaining in good standing and it's not his fault I had to pay my bill to get his coin. 
ooh boy.
Turns out he reused a mailer (which I'm sure flagged it) and didn't make the first class package thick enough. It bumped up to the highest class, kid-gloves postage.
Finally just told the guy I'd eat the $22 and we both just go our own ways. He tried to walk back the gaslighting and victim blaming. I'd rather people like that not have my money. You don't deserve nice coins or premiums like these if you regularly treat people that poorly when you make a mistake. At least when I make this big of an ass out of myself I'll eventually figure out I gotta apologize.
I was on the fence, an AU58 that just squeaked out a straight grade. Probably would've kept it in any other circumstance. Wasn't a complete dog but wasn't winning any awards. Probably still woulda been fine, but everything changed with "you can't pay your bill".. just.. wow.
Comments
I am a little confused at the box angle, but if he left the premium service markings on the reused mailer then it should be on him. Of course, the PO should have caught it when he mailed it, unless he dropped it into a mailbox, but I assume premium services aren't supposed to be mailed that way.
It is confusing about the 'box', is your PO Box that you are talking about?
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
If you use a typical bubble envelope mailer, to get the cheapest rate it cannot fit through the slot in the Post Office Gauge. If it does you get knocked up to a higher rate. I constantly have to put peanuts, or stuff a folded piece of cardboard in mine to swell the package out so it will not go through the gauge. Doesn't matter if it is reused or not as long as the stickers are removed.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Life. Nonsense. Disappointment. Misunderstanding. False accusation.
Unfortunately, part of all endeavors including this hobby. Best to just digest it one way or another & move on.
I probably would have sent it back.
It can also be ridged...cardboard takes care of that! Still trying to figure out what service cost a bump in price of over $20! Not sure if express mail is that high over 1st class.
I ship thin stuff like this and had it happen once. If it's not thick enough, the sorting machines can reject it. Once they have to handle a package with improper postage, all bets are off. I believe it defaults to the highest class in case they're time sensitive documents like subpoenas or whatever.
The reused mailer probably got the package pulled off the sort and sent to a clerk, who then made the judgment call. It probably would have been fine otherwise. We ignore that at work all the time it's hard for me to think other handlers care too much unless something happens.